Now to kickstart the year I thought I'd write a blog post on increasing happiness (with the Jan blues and all that, it seems like an apt topic).

Whether you happen to be struggling at this moment in time, or you feel like you're firing on all cylinders, there are always things you can be doing to ensure you either create more or maintain happiness levels.

Many people will have you believe that things such as money and materialistic items (in fact this has been drummed into our sub-conscious minds since the 1920's without us realising, much due to to Sigmund Freud's Nephew, Edward Bernays - but that's a topic for another day). Whilst money can enable you to embark on experiences that can make you happy (providing they are in-line with your values), a pure pursuit of money (with no regard for anything else) to satisfy the ego with materials & status can be very destructive.

Whether you have a shedload of cash or living from paycheque to paycheque, there are loads of very simple things that you can do bring greater happiness into your life. Importantly, it is by creating an abundance mindset regardless of your current situation, that will lead to the manifestation of greater physical abundance in your reality.

Here are 3 of my personal favourites - try giving these simple things a go a minimum of 4 times per week for a month and see how your feelings and outlook improve:

1) Gratitude Journal - buy a notepad and keep it next to your bed. When you wake up and before you go to sleep, write down what you are grateful for. Amazing friends, a blue sky, an achievement you've made recently...whatever it is no matter how small, jot it down. Try to be mindful (focused awareness) of what is happening around you throughout the day...this will not only improve your mood but also help your notepad exercise much easier and more fruitful.

2) Laugh & Smile With Everybody - ridiculously simple...yet not enough people do it! Scientifically proven to increase your happiness as feel good chemicals get released in your brain. In addition to the physiological benefits, you will also begin to notice the world around you shift. People are naturally drawn to those with positive energy - and people remember you by the way you made them feel. Relationships will blossom and opportunities will present themselves...I guarantee it!

3) Think of something you would really love to have achieved by the end of the year and take one action each day that will take you closer to it - many people feel that a goal is too far away or will take too long. But flip it on it's head and ask yourself, how far could I go in a year. Just think how great you will feel when reflecting back on 2016, knowing that YOU MADE "IT" HAPPEN.

I truly hope this year is magical for you all! Stay tuned for more blog posts each week :-)